Expecting Izegrim to start playing at 8.00 pm, we arrived early. Too early, the doors were still closed and they would open at 8.00 pm. After having checked the bar, Izegrim started their gig with "Warmonger" from the album 'Guidelines for Genocide'. The appearance of the two very longhaired women Kristien (vocals) and Marloes (bass) immediately takes your attention. Kristien her aggressive/growling vocals backed up by Marloes are in good shape. Of course the band plays a few songs from their new album 'Tribute to Totalitarianism'. We get the songs "In the Name of Freedom", "Sword of Damocles", "The Father, the Son & The Holy President", "Hail Victory" and "Deliverance" all from the new album. Although not all the visitors are in yet, Izegrim gets the crowd already moving. Also Jeroen & Bart (both guitar) are enjoying the support of the crowd. With "Fuck Your Glorious Nation" and "World Power of Downfall" from the Mcd 'New World Order' Izegrim ends their set and can look back to this show with satisfaction.

Rating: 70/100

To Officium Triste the assignment to continue the good atmosphere. After the fast tracks from Izegrim, the doom from Officium Triste even looks slower. The voice from Pim is in good shape, especially when it comes to the cleaner/higher singing parts. The musicians are backed up by a tape, because of the keyboard and pleasant parts. The band gives a good performance, the doom they play has enough variety to never get bored. "On the Crossroads of Souls", "My Charcoal Heart" and "This is Goodbye" are just a few highlights in their set. They also convinced the crowd that they deserved to be part of this package.
Rating: 75/100

Officially this is a three-band package, but because of their new album (and having the same recordcompany as Hollenthon) Heidevolk were added to the bill. Just looking at the shirts the audience wears, you can see that the band is very popular. Within no time there is a lot of action in front of the stage. With their authentic outfits a gig of Heidevolk is always a great joy to watch. At the first track the vocals could not be heard, but that was just temporary. Musically, they can't tip to the cd, but Heidevolk is a real live-band and their sparkling and enjoyable performance makes that all good. With "Wodan Heerst", "Koning Radbout", "de Opstand der Bataven", "Saksenland", "Hulde aan de Kastelein", "Het Wilde Heer", "Gelders Volkslied", "Het Bier Zal Weer Vloeien", and the marvelous "Vulgaris Magistralis" (coversong from the Dutch band Normaal) they came, they saw and they conquered.
Rating: 70/100

The main course this evening is Hollenthon. The band with ex-Pungent Stench member Marcus Schirenc. Like Therion, Hollenthon has a lot of orchestral parts and sounds in their music. Fortunately they do the same as Therion does, they also play with a backup-tape to get as close to the sound on their cd. And to be fair, this orchestral sounds make Hollenthon what Hollenthon is. In June Hollenthon's third album 'Opus Magnum' will be lanced and we already get two new songs this evening: "On the Wings of a Dove" and "Son of Perdition". They perfectly fit in between the older tracks. There is a little less crowd than with Heidevolk, but they were wrong to go already to the bar. Marcus's men play a very heavy and tight gig. The only negative point is the sound, a little less decibels would be more enjoyable (and perhaps it is just my age). We get an anthology of their first two albums; "Homage (Magnis ominis)", "Premonition" (Lex Talionis)", "Vestige (Non Omnis Moriar)" all from the album 'DOMVD MVNDI', and "Y Draig Goch", "Lords of Bedlam", "Woe to the Defeated", "To Kingdom Come", "Conspirator", all from the album 'With Vilest of Worms to Dwell'. According to the reaction of the crowd, Hollenthon can come back with big confidence in Summer when they play at Waldrock. A little deaf but satisfied we disappeared into the night...
Rating: 80/100

Attending: Reinier de Vries